Ballast fluid

ABSTRACT

Waterborne vessels are ballasted using a composition containing water, barite, and at least one of attapulgite, sepiolite, and chrysotile asbestos. The ballasting composition optionally contains at least one of polymer such as carboxymethylcellulose, a bacteriostatic agent, a corrosion inhibitor, and an alkalizer.

United States Patent lnventors John P. Sloan, Jr.;

Bion L. Laubscher, Houston, Tex. Appl. No. 793,474 Filed Jan. 23, 1969Patented Jan. 19, 1971 Assignee Dresser Industries, Inc. Dallas, Tex. acorporation of Delaware BALLAST FLUID 14 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

U.S.Cl 114/125 Int. Cl. B63b 43/06 Field of Search 1 14/125 6 EFF ECTlVEN [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,318,278 5/1967l-luebotter 114/125 v Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix At!0rneysR0bert W.Mayer, Daniel Rubin, Peter J. Murphy, Frank S. Troidl, Roy L Van Winkle,William E. Johnson, Jr. and Roderick W. MacDonald ABSTRACT: Waterbornevessels are ballasted using a composition containing water, barite, andat least one of attapulgite, sepiolite, and chrysotile asbestos. Theballasting composition optionally contains at least one of polymer suchas carboxymethylcellulose a bacteriostatic agent, a corrosion inhibitor,and an alkalizerr 1 BALLAST FLUID? BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION agent in aquantity sufficient to prevent excessive'gelationof the bentonite uponlong standing.

SUMMARYOF-THE INVENTION lfwas unexpectedly .discovered that'in acomposition of water and barite. the use of at leastone of attapulgite.sepiolite. and chrysotile-asbestos produced a ballast liquid which had'substantially superior rheological properties. particularly viscosity,atboth low and high shear rates as hereinafter discussed in'detail inExample l.

It was further unexpectedly discovered that with theuse of at least oneof attapulgite. sepiolite. and chrysotile asbestos the necessity of adeflocculatingagent was removed. Theballast liquids of this inventioncan. therefore. further be characterized-by thesubstantialabsencebfany'deflocculating agent therein without risk-ofexcessive gela'tion,uponlongstanding.

Therefore. according to this invention there is provided a method ofballasting-a vessel by introducing into the ballast tanks of that vesselan'effective ballastingamount of the'liquid composition of thisinvention.

There is'also provided the combination of a vessel whose ballast tankscontain the liquid compositionof this invention.

There is also provided a ballast additive formed from barite and atleast one of attapulgite. sepiolite. and chrysotile asbestos.

Ballast tanks in this invention are'to be construed broadly to coverany-lower portion of a vessel which can 'be made to receive and hold aliquid for any desired length of time.

Accordingly. itis an object of this'invention to provide a new andimproved method of ballasting. waterborne vessels. It is another objectof thisinvention to provide a new and improved combination of waterbornevessels and liquid ballast. It is another object to provide a new andimproved ballast additive.

Other aspects, objects;and advantages of this invention will be apparentto those skilledin the art from this disclosure and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE INVENTION The drawingsh'ows alogarithmic-comparative plot of effective viscosity in centipoise versusshear rate in reciprocal seconds fora ballastliquid in accordancewith-the prior art using bentonite and ade'flocculent and a ballastliquid according to this invention using.attapulgitewithout adeflocculent.

According to this invention, there is provided a ballasting methodcomprising introducinginto the ballast tanks of a vessel aneffectiveballasting amount. ie; an amount sufficient to lower the centerof-gravity of the vessel a predetermined amount. of a certaincomposition: The composition is formed from fl)'comminuted or otherwisesubdividedbarite in an amount sufficient'to give the composition adensity of from about 125 to aboutl50*p,ounds per'cubic foot. preferablyfrom about 44510 about-650 pounds of barite per barrel of composition.and (2) one of attapulgite. sepiolite, chrysotile asbestos.- andmixturesof at. leasttwo thereof in an amount effective-for inhibitingthesettling of the barite into a hard layer onthe-bottom of the ballasttank. preferably from about to about--25pounds of attapulgite. etc. perbarrel 'of'composition. The remainderof the composition'is substantiallywater.

The water can be at least one'of saltwater. sea water. brine.brackishwater. freshwater. and the like..The water is used in amountsnecessary tocomplete:thestandardunit for the composition.i.e.. the U5.petroleum barrelof-42 U.S. gallons.

An advantage for the. use of 'attapulgite. sepiolite. and chrysoltileasbestos over bentonite is thattheformcr materials will give viscosityin salty water as well as freshwater at essentially the sameconcentration'whereas bentonite will not give viscosity in salty waterexcept at unusually high 'concentru 'tions which'are unsuitable forpreparing high-density fluids.

An advantage for the use of salty water is that it is heavier thanfresh-water thereby adding to the weight ofthe ballast liquid.

Barite is well known in the art, available commercially. andthereforeneed not'be additionally characterized. The barite shouldbesubdi'vided to substantially all. pass a 325 mesh screen-(standardTylerseries). The barite can have a density ingrams/cc of from about 4.0to about 4.4. The most common grade available commercially, i.e..drilling mud grade. has an averagespecific gravity of about 4.25grams/cc. and the formulations described herein'are based on thisaverage figure.

Attapulgite and sepiolite are well known clays and chrysotile asbestosis a well known species of asbestos. All are available commercially andbecause of their known sources. composition, and properties. need not befurther characterized here. Further reference as to the character ofthese materials can be found in the publication "Reference ClayMinerals. American Petroleum Institute Research Project 49. published byColumbia University Printers. i951. Columbia University. New York and"Mineralogy" by E. S. Dana. 4th Edition. 1955. John Wiley and Sons.Inc.. New York, the pertinent disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference. The attapulgite. sepiolite. and chrysotile asbestosarepreferably employed in a comminuted or otherwise subdivided'form.e.g.. substantially all of the material passing a standard 60 mesh Tylerscreen; The attapulgite can have a mud yield of from about 50 to about150 barrels of 15 centipoise mud/ton'of clay. preferably about [20barrels/ton. The formulationsdescribed herein are based on drilling mudgrade attapulgite having a yield of about barrels/ton.

The-above-described composition according to this invention can furtherbe characterized by the substantial absence from the composition of anydeflocculating agent or agents such as humates. lignosulfates.phosphates. and the like. With the use of attapulgite, etc., thecomposition does not gel excessively even upon long standing so that thedeflocculating agents are omitted without loss of any of the functionalresults normally obtained with such agents.

It has further been found that even stronger resistance to the settlingof barite can be obtained by adding certain polymers to the compositionof this invention; The polymers are carboxymethylcellulose,polyacrylonitrile (such as Cypan), vinyl maleic anhydride (such asCyBen). and mixtures of at least two thereof. These materials areemployed in an amount effective to inhibit settling of the barite.preferably from about one-quarter to about 2 pounds per barrel ofballast liquid composition. These materials can also be employed in asubdivided form as described hereinabove for the attapulgite.

etc.

Carboxymethylcellulose is well known in the art as CMC and isavailablecommercially. Thecommercial product con tains about 0.5 carboxymethylgroups per 6 carbon atoms and is normally in the form of an alkali metal(lithium. sodium, potassium, rubidium. cesium. and francium,particularly sodium and potassium) salt. The preferred polymer is sodiumcarboxyinethylcellulose. pure grade. medium viscosity. Thepolyacrylonitrile and vinyl maleic anhydride polymers are also wellknown in the art and available commercially.

The compositions of this invention can also contain various conventionaladditives such as bacteriostatic agents. corrosion inhibitors;alkalizers, and the like.

Thebacteriostatic agent can be employed in amounts sufficienttoimmunizethe composition from substantial bacteria counts. preferablyfromabout one-quarterto about 2 pounds per'barrel of ballast liquidcomposition. The agents can be one of paraformaldehyde. glutaraldehyde.substituted phenols such as crcsol. chlorinated phenols such aspentachlorophenol. and mixtures of at least two thereof.

A large number of corrosion inhibitors are available commercially andcan be used in amounts sufficient to inhibit substantial corrosion ofthe ballast tanks. preferably from about 1 to about 4 pounds per barrelof ballast liquid composition. Useful corrosion inhibitors are mono longchain-alkyl. triethoxylated polymethylene diamines having 12 to 22carbon atoms per molecule. and combinations of aliphatic andheterocyclic monomines and diamines.

The alkalizer or alkalizers can be employed in amounts effective to givethe composition of pH of at least about 9. preferably at least about9.5. Alkalizers which can be employed are water soluble salts of alkalimetals and alkaline earth metals. preferably alkali metals such assodium and magnesium. The salt are substantially men to the ballastliquid composition in total and to the various components therein.Particularly preferred alkalizers are lime. magnesia. sodium silicate.sodium aluminum silicate. and mixtures of at least two thereof.

The compositions of this invention can be prepared in a conventionalmanner by adding. in any desired sequence. the various ingredients ofthe composition to one another singly or in combination under ambientconditions of temperature. pressure. and atmosphere. The ingredients canbe stirred during and/or after addition of one to the other. the amountof stirring being that which is sufficient to thoroughly disperse theingredients and form a homogeneous mixture. Homogeneity can usually beobtained by stirring for at least minutes after all the ingredients havebeen combined. The preferred method of mixing is to first thoroughlydisperse the attapulgite in water. If a polymer is used it is added nextand mixed until dispersed. if a bacteriostatie agent is used. it isadded thirdly and mixed until dispersed. lf alkalizers are used. theyare added next with mixing. Approximately one-half of the barite is thenadded with stirring. After the barite. corrosion inhibitor is added andthen the remainder of the barite is added. The resulting final mixtureis stirred until homogeneity is obtained as mentioned above.

After preparation. the compositions of this invention can be stored orsubstantially immediately pumped into the ballast tanks of a vessel asdesired.

The barite. attapulgite. etc. and additional desired additives such ascarboxymethylcellulose can be mixed together in the substantial absenceof water. shipped to the vessel as mixed. and then mixed with water atthe situs of the vessel before introduction into the ballast tanks.

The ballast additive of this invention consists essentially of bariteand one of attapulgite. sepiolite. chrysotilc asbestos. and mixtures ofat least two thereof. the barite and attapulgitc. etc. being present inthe weight ratio range of barite/attapulgite. etc. of from about 65/1 toabout 22/ 1.

This additive can contain substantially no deflocculent but can containadditional additives as discussed hereinabove. Whencarboxymcthylccllulose or other polymers mentioned above are employed.they can be present in the weight ratio range of barite/polymer of fromabout 650/1 to about 445/1 The bactcriostatic agent. corrosioninhibitor. and water soluble salts of certain metals. when present. areemployed in amounts of each which will give effective protection whenthe additive is added to or made into ballast liquid by the addition ofwater. For example. the amount of corrosion inhibitor present in theadditive is that which. when the additive is converted into a ballastliquid. is sufficient to substantially reduce the corrosiveness of theresulting ballast liquid. Similar reasoning applies to bacteriostaticagents and the water soluble salts.

For each ballast liquid in the following Examples the effectiveviscosity in eentipoise was measured at various shear rates measured inreciprocal seconds using a Fann V-G Meter. Model 35. The operation ofthe Fann F-G meter is fully and completely disclosed in Composition andProperties of Oil Well Drilling Fluids" by W. F. Rogers. 3rd. Edition.Gulf Publishing Co. Houston. Texas. 1963. pages 133 et. seq. andAmerican Petroleum institute Test 13-8. the standard method for drillingmud viscosity measurements.

EXAMPLE 1 A ballast liquid (Run 1 l was prepared in accordance with thisinvention by mixing in the above preferred manner. 0.59 barrels of freshwater. 600 pounds of barite. 10 pounds of attapulgite. 1 poundparaformaldehyde and 4 pounds corrosion inhibitor composed of 4-(Z-aminoethoxy) ethylmorpholine. 2- t4-morpholinylethoxyl ethanol. andbis-2-(4-morpholinyl) ethyl ether.

For comparative purposes. a ballast liquid (Run 2) was prepared bymixing in a similar manner. 0.6 barrels of fresh water. 580 pounds ofbarite. 13 pounds of Wyoming bentonite. and 1.3 pounds of sodium humatc.

The effective viscosity of each ballast liquid was measured at variousshear rates and the results are shown in the drawing and Table 1 below.

1 Properties measured after aging for one week.

in the drawing. curve 1 is the ballast liquid according to thisinvention (attapulgite and no deflocculent) whereas curve 2 is a ballastliquid which did not contain attapulgite but employed bentonite and adeflocculent instead.

Each ballast liquid in Runs 1 and 2 had a density of 19.4 lbs/gal.

lt can be seen from the drawing that at low shear rates the ballastliquid of this invention (curve 1) had a substantially higher effectiveviscosity than curve 2. This was quite surprising and is veryadvantageous in that the higher effective viscosity at low shear rate(no pumping) gives substantially increased resistance to the settling ofthe barite to the bottom of the ballast tank.

it can further be seen from the drawing that at high shear rates theeffective viscosity of the ballast liquid of this invention (curve 1)not only was reduced to that ofcurve 2. but was reduced below that ofcurve 2 at shear rates in excess of 400 reciprocal seconds. This wasequally surprising and is equally advantageous in that at high shearrates such as those encountered when pumping the liquid into or out fromthe ballast tanks. the effective viscosity of the liquid is low therebymaking the liquid easier to pump with minimum expenditure of energy.

Thus. the use of attapulgite in lieu of bentonite and a deflocculentgave surprising flow characteristics which were advantageous in thatthey offered greater resistance to settling of the barite upon longstanding in the ballast tanks but less resistance to pumping the liquidinto or out from the ballast tanks.

EXAMPLE ll Two additional runs were made. Run 3 using attapulgite andRun 4 using bentonite but both containing 4 lbs/barrel of the corrosioninhibitor of Example 1.

The entire ballast liquid preparation process was carried out at roomtemperature. at ambient pressure. under an air atmosphere. and accordingto the preferred method of mixing and properties for TABLE 2 Run 3 Run 4Water, bbl 0. 56 0. 52 Bentonite, lbs 12 lo Attapulgite, lbs 8 Barite,lbs 600 600 CMC, pure, reg lbs Paraformaldehyde, lbs 1 1 Sodium humate,lbs. 2 Corrosion inhibitor (Example 1), lbs 4 4 Initial density, lbs/gal19.1 19.1 15 Pro erties after 10 days rocking test:

tlectlve viscosity in ops. at-

00 r.p.m. (1,022 seer 75 172 300 rpm. (511 see- 130 188 200 r.p.m. (341see- 180 198 100 r.p.m. (170.5 seer 321 216 6 r.p.m. (10.22 seen- 1, 250400 3 r.p.m. (5.11sec.- 1,800 400 Density, lbjgaln Up or sample. 21. 514. 7 M die 5 sample. 21. 7 18.8 Lower as sample 21. 4 1 23. 3

i Barite settled in a hard packed layer.

This example again shows the superior flow characteristics for theballast fluid of this invention. These samples were subjectedtocontinuous rocking action (8 cycles per minute) for 10 days, afterwhich their properties were obtained. Samples of each were taken at theupper 1/3 level, the middle 1/3 level. and the bottom l/3 level beforeagitation and the densities of each fraction were determined. Somesyneresis, or water separation at the top. occurred with the samplecontaining attapulgite and this free water was siphoned off beforetaking the samples for the density measurements. Some densification ofthe mud occurred due to the separation of water. but the density wasvery nearly constant throughout the mud portion and there was no hardpacked layer of solids on the bottom as there was in the sample preparedwith bentonite (Run 4). This is quite apparent from the densities at thevarious height levels of the sample prepared with bentonite, 14.7lbs/gal. at the top and 23.3 lbs/gal. at the bottom.

EXAMPLE lll Other runs were made. Run 5 with attapulgite and C MC andRun 6 with bentonite and CMC. These compositions were prepared by thepreferred method previously described and subjected to the same rockingtest described in Example ii. The composition and properties of theseruns are given in Table 3 below.

CMC, pure reg. lbs.... Paraiormal ehyde, lbs.... Sodium humate, lbCorrosion inhibitor (Example 1) lbs Initial density, lbs. a1 Pro ertiesafter 10 oys rocking test tiective viscosity in cps. at-

600 r.p.m. 1,022 secs- 200 800 300 r.p.m. 511 see- 256 380 20 r.p.m.341seer 311 432 r.p.m. (170.5 seer- 432 552 6 r.p.m. (10.22 secs) 3, 0002,000 3 r.p.m. (5.11 seer 6, 000 3, 200 Density, lb./ 9.1.:

Upper sample. 19. 6 19. 1 M die is sample. 19.8 20. 3 Lower 34 sample..19.7 20. 5 75 The addition of CMC to the bentonite formulation did notproduce a ballast fluid with as desirable properties as theattapulgite-CMC formulation of this invention. The effective viscosityat 1022 sec. of Run 5 was 200 cps.. whereas that of Run 6 was 300 cps.,or 50 percent higher. Also. the effective viscosity at 5.1 1 sec. of Run5 was 6000 cps. and that of Run 6 was 3200 cps, or approximatelyone-half that of Run 5. The effects of the high viscosity at the lowershear rate is demonstrated by the comparison of the densities of thesamples at the various height levels. The density of Run 5 changed only0.] lb./gal. (19.6-19.7) from the upper one-third to the bottomone-third, whereas the density of Run 6 changed by 1.4 lb./gal.(l9.120.5). This clearly shows the superior suspending properties of theballast fluid of this invention.

In making the comparisons shown in Examples 1, II, and Ill, the muddensities were held constant and the other ingredients varied asnecessary to obtain the proper range of flow properties. Sinceattapulgite does not perform in the same manner as bentonite, the sameweight of attapulgite and bentonite could not be used.

Another unexpected discovery of this invention is the phenomena obtainedwith the combination of attapuigite and CMC. The formulations in ExampleI (attapulgite and bentonite without CMC) show that without CMC. lessattapulgite than bentonite is required (10 lbs. vs. 13 lbs.) to obtainthe desired properties, whereas with CMC (Example lll) more attapulgitecan be incorporated in the formula (17 lbs. vs. 6 lbs.). Theseadditional clay solids further inhibit the settling of barite therebygiving a definite advantage to this combination.

Reasonable variations and modifications are possible within the scope ofthis disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention.

We claim:

1. A method of ballasting a waterborne vessel having ballast tankstherein comprising introducing into said tanks an effective ballastingamount of a composition consisting essentially of (l) subdivided baritein an amount sufficient to give said composition a density of from aboutto about I50 pounds per cubic foot, (2) one of attapulgite, sepiolite.chrysotile asbestos. and mixtures of at least two thereof. in an amounteffective for inhibiting the settling of said barite. and (3) water assubstantially the remainder. said composition being furthercharacterized by the substantial absence of any deflocculating agent.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said composition additionallycontains one of carboxymethylcellulose. polyacrylonitrile. and vinylmaleic anhydride. and mixtures of at least two thereof. in an amounteffective to inhibit settling of said barite.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said carboxymethylcellulose.polyacrylonitrile. vinyl maleic anhydride. and mixtures thereof arepresent in said composition in an amount of from about one-quarter toabout 2 pounds per barrel of composition.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said composition containseffective amounts of at least one of bacteriostatic agent. corrosioninhibitor. and at least one water soluble salt of alkali metals andalkaline earth metals. said salt being present in an amount effective togive the composition a pH of at least about 9.

S. The method according to claim 4 wherein said bacteriostatic agent isone of paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, substituted phenols.chlorinated phenols. and mixtures of at least two thereof. saidcorrosion inhibitor is at least one of mono long-chain alkyl,triethoxylated polymethylene diamines. and an aliphatic monoamine, analiphatic diamine, a heterocyclic diamine. an aliphatic diamine. andmixtures of at least two thereof, and said water soluble salt is one oflime, magnesia. sodium silicate. sodium aluminum silicate. and mixturesof at least two thereof.

6. in combination, a waterborne vessel having ballast tanks,

said tanks containing a ballasting amount of a composition consistingessentially of (l) subdivided barite in an amount sufficient to givesaid composition a density of from about 125 to about 150 pounds percubic foot. (2) one of attapulgite. sepiolite. chrysotile asbestos. andmixtures of at least two thereof. in an amount effective for inhibitingthe settling of said barite. and (3) water as substantially theremainder. said composition being further characterized by thesubstantial absence of any deflocculating agent.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said com positionadditionally contains one of carboxymethylcellulose in an amounteffective to inhibit settling of said barite.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein saidcarboxymethylcellulose. polyacrylonitrile. vinyl maleic anhydride. andmixtures of at least two thereof. is present in said composition in anamount of from about one-quarter to about 2 pounds per barrel ofcomposition.

9. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said compositioncontains effective amounts of at least one of bacteriostatic agent.corrosion inhibitor. and at least one water soluble salt of alkalimetals and alkaline earth metals, said salt being present in an amounteffective to give the composition of pH of at least about 9.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said bacteriostaticagent is one of paraformaldehyde. glutaraldehyde. substituted phenols.chlorinated phenols. and mixtures of at least two thereof. saidcorrosion inhibitor is at least one of a mono long-chain alkyl.triethoxylated polymethylene diamine. an aliphatic monoamine. analiphatic diamine. a heterocyclic diamine. an aliphatic diamine. andmixtures of at least two thereof. and said water soluble salt is one oflime. magnesia.

sodium silicate. sodium aluminum silicate. and mixtures of at least twothereof.

11. A ballast additive consisting essentially of: (l) barite. and (2)one of attapulgite. sepiolite. chrysotile asbestos. and mixtures of atleast two thereof; (A) and (B) being present in the weight ratio rangeof H2: of from about 65/1 to about 22/l said additive containingsubstantially no deflocculent.

12. A ballast additive according to claim 11 wherein said additiveadditionally contains a member of the group carboxymethylcellulose.polyacrylonitrile. vinyl maleic anhydride. and mixtures of at least twothereof. in the weight ratio range of barite/member of from about 650/1to about 445/l.

13. A ballast additive according to claim 12 wherein said additiveadditionally contains at least one of bacteriostatic agent. corrosioninhibitor. and water soluble salt of alkali metals and alkaline earthmetals. each ingredient present being present in amounts which will giveeffective protection when a ballast liquid is prepared by the additionofwater.

14. A ballast additive according to claim 13 wherein said bacteriostaticagent is one of paraformaldehyde. glutaraldehyde. substituted phenols.chlorinated phenols. and mixtures of at least two thereof. saidcorrosion inhibitor is at least one mono long-chain alkyl.triethoxylatcd polymethylene diamine. an aliphatic monoamine. analiphatic diamine. a heterocyclic diamine. an aliphatic diamine. andmixtures of at least two thereof. and said water soluble salt is one oflime. magnesia. sodium silicate. sodium aluminum silicate. and mixturesof at least two thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 556037 Dated January 19 a 1971 John P. Sloan, Jr et al Inventor(s) It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8 claim 11 should appear as shown below:

11 A ballast additive consisting essentially of (1) barite, and (2) oneof attapulgite sepiolite chrysotile asbestos,

and mixtures of at least 2 thereof, (A) and (B) being present in theweight ratio range of (1)/ (2) of from about 65/1 to about 22/1 Signedand sealed this 15th day of February 1972 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JRi ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A method of ballasting a waterborne vessel having ballast tankstherein comprising introducing into said tanks an effective ballastingamount of a composition consisting essentially of (1) subdivided baritein an amount sufficient to give said composition a density of from about125 to about 150 pounds per cubic foot, (2) one of attapulgite,sepiolite, chrysotile asbestos, and mixtures of at least two thereof, inan amount effective for inhibiting the settling of said barite, and (3)water as substantially the remainder, said composition being furthercharacterized by the substantial absence of any deflocculating agent. 2.The method according to claim 1 wherein said composition additionallycontains one of carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylonitrile, and vinylmaleic anhydride, and mixtures of at least two thereof, in an amounteffective to inhibit settling of said barite.
 3. The method according toclaim 2 wherein said carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylonitrile, vinylmaleic anhydride, and mixtures thereof are present in said compositionin an amount of from about one-quarter to about 2 pounds per barrel ofcomposition.
 4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said compositioncontains effective amounts of at least one of bacteriostatic agent,corrosion inhibitor, and at least one water soluble salt of alkalimetals and alkaline earth metals, said salt being present in an amounteffective to give the composition a pH of at least about
 9. 5. Themethod according to claim 4 wherein said bacteriostatic agent is one ofparaformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, substituted phenols, chlorinatedphenols, and mixtures of at least two thereof, said corrosion inhibitoris at least one of mono long-chain alkyl, triethoxylated polymethylenediamines, and an aliphatic monoamine, an aliphatic diamine, aheterocyclic diamine, an aliphatic diamine, and mixtures of at least twothereof, and said water soluble salt is one of lime, magnesia, sodiumsilicate, sodium aluminum silicate, and mixtures of at least twothereof.
 6. In combination, a waterborne vessel having ballast tanks,said tanks containing a ballasting amount of a composition consistingessentially of (1) subdivided barite in an amount sufficient to givesaid composition a density of from about 125 to about 150 pounds percubic foot, (2) one of attapulgite, sepiolite, chrysotile asbestos, andmixtures of at least two thereof, in an amount effective for inhibitingthe settling of said barite, and (3) water as substantially theremainder, said composition being further characterized by thesubstantial absence of any deflocculating agent.
 7. The combinationaccording to claim 6 wherein said composition additionally contains oneof carboxymethylcellulose in an amount effective to inhibit settling ofsaid barite.
 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein saidcarboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylonitrile, vinyl maleic anhydride, andmixtures of at least two thereof, is present in said composition in anamount of from about one-quarter to about 2 pounds per barrel ofcomposition.
 9. The combination according to claim 7 wherein saidcomposition contains effective amounts of at least one of bacteriostaticagent, corrosion inhibitor, and at least one water soluble salt ofalkali metals and alkaline earth metals, said salt being present in anamount effective to give the composition of pH of at least about
 9. 10.The combination according to claim 9 wherein said bacteriostatic agentis one of paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, substituted phenols,chlorinated phenols, and mixtures of at least two thereof, saidcorrosion inhibitor is at least one of a mono long-chain alkyl,triethoxylated polymethylene diamine, an aliphatic monoamine, analiphatic diamine, a heterocyclic diamine, an aliphatic diamine, andmixtures of at least two thereof, and said water soluble salt is one oflime, magnesia, sodium silicate, sodium aluminum silicate, and mixturesof at least two thereof.
 11. A ballast additive consisting essentiallyof: (1) barite, and (2) one of attapulgite, sepiolite, chrysotileasbestos, and mixtures of at least two thereof; (A) and (B) beingpresent in the weight ratio range of 1/2: of from about 65/1 to about22/1, said additive containing substantially no deflocculent.
 12. Aballast additive according to claim 11 wherein said additiveadditionally contains a member of the group carboxymethylcellulose,polyacrylonitrile, vinyl maleic anhydride, and mixtures of at least twothereof, in the weight ratio range of barite/member of from about 650/1to about 445/1.
 13. A ballast additive according to claim 12 whereinsaid additive additionally contains at least one of bacteriostaticagent, corrosion inhibitor, and water soluble salt of alkali metals andalkaline earth metals, each ingredient present being present in amountswhich will give effective protection when a ballast liquid is preparedby the addition of water.
 14. A ballast additive according to claim 13wherein said bacteriostatic agent is one of paraformaldehyde,glutaraldehyde, substituted phenols, chlorinated phenols, and mixturesof at least two thereof, said corrosion inhibitor is at least one monolong-chain alkyl, triethoxylated polymethylene diamine, an aliphaticmonoamine, an aliphatic diamine, a heterocyclic diamine, an aliphaticdiamine, and mixtures of at least two thereof, and said water solublesalt is one of lime, magnesia, sodium silicate, sodium aluminumsilicate, and mixtures of at least two thereof.